Dancing regularly with a partner could help improve balance, coordination and quality of life for those suffering from Parkinson's disease….

Dancing regularly with a partner could help improve balance, coordination and quality of life for those suffering from Parkinson's disease, according to research from Australia, published in the journal, Neurology, in December 2014.

'This kind of minimally supervised exercise programme should be started early in the disease process,' comments study author, Dr Colleen Canning (PhD) of the University of Sydney in Australia.

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More than 120,000 people in the UK live with the progressive neurological condition, which affects the part of the brain that controls movement.

Motor symptoms include aching, stiffness, a tremor often beginning in one hand; and slow movement.

Dancing as therapy

Rose Leach, 67, and her husband Peter, 67, who live in Sheffield, have always enjoyed ballroom dancing, but it has now also become a therapeutic pastime.

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Rose, a former teacher, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 25 years ago and now has severe symptoms.

However, she believes waltzing helps her manage the condition. 'We don’t have the Strictly Come Dancing outfits, but it’s as much as fun as the TV show and it does me so much good,' she says.

But it's the couple's decision to attend regular dance classes, organised by Parkinson's UK Sheffield branch for the last two years, which has made the real difference.

Freezing

Parkinson's disease, which has no cure, occurs due to a loss of nerve cells in the brain.

It is not understood why these cells die, but symptoms start when around 70 per cent of cells have already been lost.

'A key problem is freezing – not being able to move at all,' says Bhanu Ramaswamy, a physiotherapist currently researching Parkinson's at Sheffield Hallam University and a member of Parkinson's UK's Excellence Network.

'Freezing' is the result of the loss of, or slowing down of, connections in the brain that normally enable people to move their bodies without thinking about what they're doing.

Those with Parkinson's can suddenly find it impossible to move their weight from leg to another.

It's a problem for Rose, who can 'freeze' up to 12 times each day.

Fear of falling

And it's not just the inconvenience of these frozen moments.

Falling is a common problem for people with Parkinson’s, with two out of three sufferers falling repeatedly.

'The resulting injuries, pain, limitations of activity and fear of falling again can really affect people’s health and wellbeing,' said Dr Canning.

'People stop doing the hobbies and activities they previously enjoyed - at least partly because of the psychological impact of the symptoms, says explains Ramaswamy. 'And that's why dance can make such a difference.'

So what are the benefits?

First and foremost, the benefits of dancing are physical. According to the recent research published in the journal Neurology, dance helps to strengthen the leg muscles of those with the condition, bringing 'improved balance and mobility' .

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This led to a 70 per cent reduced risk of falling in those with less severe disease at least – though there was no such change in those with more severe disease.

But the benefits of dance go further. Previous US research showed that people with Parkinson's who attended 20 one-hour Argentine tango lessons had 'significant improvements in functional mobility compared to those who did conventional exercise'.

The extra benefits were the result of people with the disorder 'moving at different speeds, turning, balancing and walking backwards,' according to lead researcher, Dr Gammon Earhart, Professor of Physical Therapy at Washington University, St Louis.

Held in an embrace

The physical contact of being held in an embrace - as happens in many dance forms - is also helpful, according to Ramaswamy.

'Studies have shown that in Irish set dancing, for instance, moving as a couple gives someone with Parkinson's the confidence to move,' she explains.

Musical rhythm also contributes to easier movement - as shown in the film, Capturing Grace, a collaboration between dancers with Parkinson's and the New York-based Mark Morris Dance Group.

Members of Dance for Parkinson's Network UK, an organisation with an expanding list of dance classes available throughout the UK, say that even those who have difficulty walking are able to dance.

'Music on - disease much better. Music off - symptoms come back,' is how one participant, Bob Dawson, summed up the impact of dance in a poem that he wrote for the Network's website.

Permanent benefits

And these improvements in mobility are of permanent value, according to Dr Sara Houston, principal lecturer at the Department of Dance at the University of Roehampton, South London and the Network's chair.

Dance for Parkinson’s, a three-year study of 24 people with Parkinson’s aged 65 to 82 looking at the long-term benefits of dance, carried out by Dr Houston and commissioned by English National Ballet, is due to be published in 2015.

'It’s likely to show that regular dancing 'brings improvements in tasks in daily life, how people walk as well as balance and muscle stiffness,' she explains.

Find an activity for you

'Not everyone will enjoy dance,' points out Ramaswamy. 'And when you're coping with something like Parkinson's, it's essential that you find an activity that you like if it's to become part of a regular routine.

For this reason, the Sheffield Parkinson's UK group offers a range of activities.

'We have an ex-soldier who is keen on boxing training. Although not "cured" of his problem with freezing, he finds the wide stance and body rotation beneficial in enabling him to access a better response to balance threats, and hasn't fallen since he started the training,' she says.

'For others, exercise in water is preferable as they can move safely knowing if they fall, they will not injure themselves.'

Dancing cheek to cheek

Meanwhile, Rose and Peter have no intention of giving up dancing.

'Because Rose has Parkinson's, there is a risk of us becoming isolated, but it isn't happening,' says Peter.

'We have this activity together, mixing with friends - and engaging in self-expression in a way that is truly liberating.'

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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